Tag: Hurricane Harvey

I experienced a moment today, that reminded me of the story of the woman who gave two mites:

Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

I ran to the store today to pick up some things for our family, and I had a set budget. I decided whatever I didn’t spend on our needs, I’d put into grabbing supplies for Hurricane Harvey relief and drop off with D-DEY Response Group.

As I was standing there amazed at all that was collected, a man rode up in the rain on his bike. From a small cinch sack he pulled out a 12 pack of sprite, it was the only thing in there and protected from the rain. He was there but just a minute. Then off on his way.

I am fairly certain that this man gave what he had purchase for himself. Riding home with his purchase, he saw a need greater than his own.

Hurricane Harvey has brought really unprecedented devastation. It was a trifecta of things working against Texas. Low lying areas prone to flooding. A strong, large, wet storm. The several day stall over Texas even after it downgraded. A deluge was opened. The news gets worse as we learn that levees are being opened and will release additional waters that will flood areas.

People who were told not to evacuate are stranded. People who were told to evacuate didn’t, or waited until the last minute. Some shelters are inaccessible because people are stranded in their neighborhoods or the pathway to the shelter is flooded.

People have lost everything. We learn that some of these people had already lost everything once in Katrina, relocated to Texas… and history is repeating itself. We are learning that at minimum 2/3 of residents affected by flooding didn’t have flood insurance and will bear the financial impact of repairing their homes and replacing their belongings. We have no way to calculate the financial cost of Hurricane Harvey, yet. We still have no idea how many lives were lost.

Lord, help Texas.

We also know, from past experience, that people will take advantage of good hearted people who want to help. So, here are a list of verified organizations you can donate to in order to help those who have been impacted by this devastation.